“The difference between an ordinary marriage and an extraordinary marriage is in giving just a little ‘extra’ every day, as often as possible, for as long as we both shall live.”
~Fawn Weaver~
Today I remembered that it is my fourteen year wedding anniversary this weekend! Where has the time flown? When we got married people thought it wouldn’t last because we were so young, but now I’m often the one who has been married the longest!
When we approached our pastor about wanting to marry, he said, “Yes, I’ll marry you……but only when I think you are ready.” We had about six months of marriage preparation with him that to this day we credit for us still being together. When things get tough we think about his words. The main thing he taught us was to always put God first, our spouses second and then the children third, everything else would fall into place. He was so right. With our priorities in this order, things do have a way of always working out.
Another thing he told us during those sessions, was that when we disagreed on any issues, that the man should make the final decision. The reason for this was to avert any issues from snowballing out of control. He also forewarned that if I didn’t think my (now) husband would make the right decisions during those difficult situations, then I shouldn’t marry him. In fact, looking back over the years, there is very little that we haven’t agreed on. I suppose that is why we were attracted to each other in the first place – our values and morals were aligned which meant that these decisions have usually been unanimous.
The time we spent with our pastor during these sessions and because we put God first in everything we do, are the reasons that we are still strong today. I don’t think that our marriage would have survived without his words of wisdom as they are the words that we often reflect on to keep moving in the right direction.
14 years…..so much has happened and so many wonderful memories. Two beautiful children who have changed our lives and made us realise how blessed we are. We have come such a long way. But living by and following through with these key principals has ensured that we continue to walk the same road together, hand in hand.
I cannot tell you how blessed I am and look forward to the future and all the new stories we will tell……
What keeps your marriage strong?
Headsmart.......Reflections of a Headteacher 
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